There may be richer clubs in the English Premier League. There may be ones with more star players. There may even be teams with a greater international following. But none match the passion that Liverpool FC generates among its fans.
This season is the 132nd in its history since its original foundation in 1892. That arose from a dispute with the committee running Everton causing a split. Ever since then, the two teams have divided the city’s loyalties.
Over the years, the team has seen legendary managers like Bill Shankly and Jurgen Klopp at the helm as well as countless world-class players like Kevin Keegan, Steven Gerrard and Mo Salah wearing the iconic red shirt.
Equally legendary is the team’s home ground of Anfield and its iconic Kop end. Here the fans sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at every match – a song that symbolizes the depth of feeling for the club and everyone associated with it.
The end of an era
Early in 2024 fans were rocked by the news that this is to be Jurgen Klopp’s last as a manager. In the eight years he’s been with them he has led them to a win in the Champions League in 2019 and their first league title in 30 years. This has obviously taken its toll and he feels he no longer has the energy and drive to continue.
So, all eyes are on what the team can do for him to ensure a good send-off. Captain Virgil Van Dijk has already announced that they are determined to go for silverware to make this a memorable final season for the manager.
Premier League hopes
Obviously, this will include the desire to see another Premier League title for the team. Although they have come close in the seasons since their 2019-20 season win it has so far eluded them.
This has been largely thanks to the dominance of Manchester City, bolstered by the huge funds at their disposal. While they’re still favourites to win according to the sports betting, Liverpool are a close second with 23 of the 38 matches played. Pivotal to their success could be the March 10th meeting with City and it could conceivably be this game where their fate is decided. Their previous encounter, back in November 2023 resulted in a 1-1 draw so it could be anybody’s game.
Another threat may come from the North London club Arsenal who are long-overdue a tilt at the title. But, as even the most fair-minded observers will admit, they do have a habit of losing their nerve when it really counts.
Up for the cup
To complete the famous quadruple that all Premier League teams strive for, Liverpool will need to win both the EFL and the FA Cups.
In the case of the former, they are due to meet Chelsea in the final on February 25. On paper this should go their way with their opponents having a fairly poor season to date. But football is a game always capable of producing upsets, so nothing is ever a foregone conclusion.
In terms of the FA Cup, this is traditionally the season-ending events there’s a while to wait until the May 25th date of the final.
By early February Liverpool had already sent Arsenal and Norwich City out of the tournament and set up a 5th Round encounter with the Championship side Southampton. Again, they should have no problem overcoming the struggling team, but this tournament in particular is well-known for throwing up shock results.
Looking at Europe
The crowning glory of the season, however, would surely to be a win in the Champions League. In this the greatest teams in Europe get the chance to compete against each other. The victory in 2019, an easy 2-0 win over Spurs, was the defining moment of Klopp’s career up until that point.
The team look fairly well-placed to scale those heights again. They emerged top of their group conceding only seven goals in six games. Now into the Round of Sixteen, the action will resume in early March.
The final takes place at Wembley Stadium on June 1 and it would be the perfect end to Klopp’s time at Liverpool to see the team win against the best of Europe on home soil.
What could the future hold?
Looking ahead to the post-Klopp era, it could all depend on the manager chosen to fill his very considerable shoes so whoever comes in will need to have to have a very clear idea of where they want to take the team. Favourite at the moment is the Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso and there’s even talk of Steven Gerrard being in the frame.
But as to who will be at the Anfield dugout come the start of the 2024-25 season, we’ll just have to wait and see.
